Three battalions from Java deployed to help tackle Kalimantan forest fires
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will send three battalions of soldiers from Java to Kalimantan to strengthen the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) amid limited personnel in the field.
Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi, in a statement quoted in Jakarta on Saturday, said the additional troops, numbering around 1,200, are planned to arrive at the location on Saturday or at the latest Sunday (23/8) to assist with firefighting efforts.
“So earlier in the coordination meeting it was still deemed necessary to have additional support, and the plan is to send approximately three battalions again from Java, with a total of around 1,200 soldiers. God willing, this afternoon or at the latest tomorrow they will be at the location,” said Prasetyo.
Prasetyo explained that battalions stationed in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan have been assisting with firefighting efforts. However, the number of available personnel is still considered limited, so additional troops from outside Kalimantan are needed.
The additional personnel is one of the decisions made by President Prabowo Subianto after receiving reports and discussing with relevant officials regarding the need to strengthen the handling of forest and land fires in several areas of Kalimantan.
In addition to personnel, the President also decided to add various equipment to support firefighting operations, including helicopters for water bombing, water pumps, pumps for bore wells, tanker trucks, and fire engines.
“Several matters were also directly decided by the President, including additional equipment, starting from helicopters for water bombing, then water pumps, and also the need for pumps for bore wells, as well as additional personnel,” said Prasetyo.
According to Prasetyo, President Prabowo also asked provincial governments and all relevant agencies to ensure that communities affected by the forest and land fires receive the best possible handling.
The President, he said, also expressed appreciation to the TNI, Polri, BNPB, BMKG, volunteers, and other elements who have been working day and night to extinguish the fires.
Prasetyo added that the President also stressed the importance of educating the public down to the lowest level to prevent activities that could potentially trigger fires, especially in very dry weather conditions.
“We must not tire of educating our communities down to the lowest level, to once again avoid activities that could cause the potential emergence of fire, which in current conditions would be very dangerous because it could grow and harm us all,” said Prasetyo.